10 Must-Watch Thrillers Similar to The Directive

Description: A groundbreaking mystery series about plane crash survivors on a mysterious island. Features complex character backstories, supernatural elements, and constant tension between hope and despair.

Fact: The iconic opening scene of the pilot episode cost between $10-14 million to film, making it one of the most expensive TV pilots ever at the time.

Description: A viral outbreak thriller with supernatural elements, focusing on a secret government experiment gone wrong. Combines medical drama with apocalyptic survival scenarios.

Fact: Based on Justin Cronin's bestselling trilogy. The show condensed the timeline of the books significantly to fit the TV format.

Description: A sci-fi mystery about a small town suddenly cut off from the outside world by an invisible barrier. Explores how ordinary people react when trapped together with limited resources.

Fact: Based on a Stephen King novel of the same name. The dome's visual effects were created using practical effects combined with CGI.

Description: A post-apocalyptic tale of survival after a deadly pandemic wipes out most of humanity. Features a clear divide between good and evil forces, with supernatural elements influencing events.

Fact: This miniseries is the second adaptation of Stephen King's novel, featuring an updated timeline and some changed character backgrounds.

Description: A psychological thriller with elements of science fiction, featuring a mysterious town where nothing is as it seems. The story gradually reveals shocking truths about the characters' reality.

Fact: Based on a book trilogy by Blake Crouch. The show was originally intended to be an anthology series with different stories each season.

Description: A post-apocalyptic survival series where characters face moral dilemmas and harsh environments. The story examines leadership, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in desperate situations.

Fact: Originally based on a book series by Kass Morgan. The show's premise changed significantly from the source material after the first season.

Description: Explores the psychological and societal impacts of a sudden, unexplained global event. The narrative focuses on how people cope with loss and the unknown, blending realism with surreal elements.

Fact: The show's creators invented an entirely original religion (the Guilty Remnant) for the series. The haunting opening theme changes slightly each season.

Description: A sci-fi drama about life under alien occupation, exploring resistance movements and collaboration. The story reveals information gradually, maintaining tension about the true nature of the invaders.

Fact: The show's creators researched real-life occupation scenarios from World War II to inform the series' themes and character dynamics.

Description: A horror-thriller about a small town enveloped by a mysterious fog containing deadly creatures. Focuses on human nature under extreme duress and the breakdown of social order.

Fact: While based on Stephen King's novella, the TV series expands the story significantly and changes several key elements from the source material.

Description: A survival drama with psychological depth, exploring themes of isolation and human behavior under extreme conditions. The narrative structure alternates between past and present, revealing secrets and hidden agendas.

Fact: The show was initially pitched as a female-led 'Lord of the Flies' adaptation. It features a diverse cast of young women from different backgrounds.